Pontefract’s Town End junction to be closed

Sam Cooper

Roads around Pontefract’s Town End junction will be closed during the next week as the final phase of works are carried out.

The works - which will involve resurfacing works on roads around the junction - were originally due to start on November 9.

But Wakefield Council appointed a new contractor and the works will start on Sunday, December 6.

As part of the £600,000 Wakefield Council scheme, roads will be closed from 6pm until 11pm weekdays and from 4pm until 11pm on Sundays, where necessary.

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “We are now in the final stages of the works and I want to thank everyone for their patience.

“The nature of the work means that road closures are inevitable but we have instructed the contractor to work during the evenings to make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum for local businesses and residents.”

Wakefield Council first announced plans for changes at the junction in February 2011.

Transport bosses at the council earmarked Town End - which had a double roundabout system until 1996 - as a transport priority after it was found to have the worst traffic congestion levels in the Wakefield district.

The current scheme - to revert back to two roundabouts - started in March and was originally expected to be finished by July.

Works were then due to be complete by the end of October but the council said the scheme was delayed for the second time.

Full details of the closures

Sunday, December 6 - Ropergate closed Jubilee Way and Mill Hill Road southbound closed, including Southgate in both directions.

Monday, December 7 - Wakefield Road and Mill Hill Road restrictions.

Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9 – Jubilee Way closed. No access to Front Street and Park Road.